BC Energy Step Code

Meeting Energy Step Code

Developers, Registered Professionals, Contractors, Builders and Designers are required to submit building permits for new residential, multi-family and commercial buildings that meet the Energy Step Code.

For Part 3 Residential, Multi-Family, and Commercial Buildings

The City is relying on the Registered Professionals (RPs) who are submitting the Letters of Assurance (LOAs) for compliance to Step Code for Part 3 buildings. Applications must have the Energy Model completed by a Registered Professional and the City will be requesting a copy of the Provincial Part 3 Compliance Form for Energy Step Code as part of the permit intake.

For Part 9 Dwelling Units

The Energy Step Code Step involves the following:

• Engaging a Certified Energy Advisor (CEA) early in the design so that the CEA can perform an energy assessment using one of the approved softwares, most likely “Hot2000”;
• Submission of the Provincial Part 9 Compliance Form as part of the permit intake package;
• Performing a mid-construction blower door test for airtightness, unless air-tight drywall is used;
• Performing a post construction blower door test to get an air-exchange rate reading of the airtightness of the building; the air-exchange rate is fed back into the energy model program to confirm compliance and to obtain an Energuide rating;
• Submit the Energuide rating to NRCan.

For specific information on changes to the permitting, review and inspections processes, please review the Building Division Bulletins on the Part 9 Buildings and Bulletins for Part 3 Buildings.

Airtightness testing at building completion is a key part of Step Code performance requirements. The Province requires all Step Code buildings to conduct a final airtightness test to receive an occupancy permit. At Step 1, airtightness must be good enough for overall building energy performance to equal the BC Building Code reference building. View the Provincial Bulletins B19-02 and B19-03 on airtightness.

Airtightness is the most cost-effective way to improve building energy performance, and an airtight building is easiest and least costly to achieve prior to drywall installation. The City of Abbotsford is strongly encouraging all Part 9 buildings to conduct a mid-construction blower door test before a building can proceed to insulation inspection.

As this is intended to be a capacity building requirement, the City is currently determining how the requirement may be waived for applicants that can demonstrate success constructing multiple airtight buildings, and the City will update the bulletins when this is determined.

Your Certified Energy Advisor will help with these tests and will suggest ways you can improve your building’s energy performance. The City encourages building teams to involve as many staff and trades as possible during the first few mid-construction blower door tests.

• BC Step Code Events Calendar - BC Energy Step Code training opportunities
• BC Step Code Newsletter for Stakeholders

Compliance Reports

• Part 9 Compliance Forms/Reports
• Part 3 Compliance Forms/Reports - Currently under development by the Province.

Guides & Resources

• BC Energy Code Incentives
• BC Energy Step Code Builder Guide
• BC Energy Step Code Design Guide
• BC Energy Step Code Resources for Homeowners
• BC Energy Step Code Resources for Industry
• BC Energy Step Code Website
• Certified Energy Advisors
• Fortis BC New Home Program Incentives

Bulletins

• Bulletin for Part 9 Buildings
• Bulletins for Part 3 Buildings
• Electric Vehicle Readiness

Visit the BC Energy Step Code website for more information on each of the Step Code requirements.

FortisBC rebates

New Part 9 constructions following Step Code are eligible for $1000 up to $10,000 rebate through FortisBC’s New Home Program.

FortisBC rebates

See Fortis BC's Rebates and Offers webpage.

FortisBC’s Deep Energy Retrofit Pilot Program

Homeowners can apply for FortisBC’s Deep Energy Retrofit Pilot Program. This is an exclusive offer only for select BC residents that live in single family dwellings that have gas space and water heating. You could be eligible to participate and potentially have 100% of your energy upgrade refunded by FortisBC. (Note: Some restrictions apply.)

Application Deadline: February 28, 2022

CleanBC rebates 

Rebates of up to $8000 are available from CleanBC for switching primary heating from natural gas, propane or oil heating to electricity. Visit the CleanBC website for more information.  

Key Resources

• Local builders, architect/designer or homeowners are encouraged to use the rebate search tool to find rebates specific to their needs.
• The Better Homes BC Rebate Chart is a quick-glance chart summarizing all of the rebates currently available for home renovations.  

WORKSHOP 1: High Performance vs. Energy Efficiency Building

A “high-performance” building satisfies a wide-range of key objectives, one of which is “energy efficiency”. However, the
opposite is not always the case; there are many examples of “energy efficient” buildings that have failed to deliver a
“high-performance” outcome. Based on several case studies, this presentation covers the difference between the two
concepts, and emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach towards building envelope energy efficiency.

View the High Performance Building Workshop flyer for more details.

WORKSHOP 2: Performance Failures Associated with Spray Foam Insulation in Roof Applications

Based on several case studies, this presentation highlights the performance failures and risks associated with the widely-used practice of sandwiching roof sheathing/framing between spray foam insulation and roof waterproofing membrane, followed by recommendations on how to avoid such outcomes.

View the High Performance Building Workshop flyer for more details.

WORKSHOP 3: Practical Solutions in Addressing Thermal Bridging in Exterior Insulated Building Envelope

Based on several case studies, this presentation provides practical solutions to minimize thermal bridging at various interfaces of fully exterior insulated buildings. Examples include deck to wall, window wells to wall, parapet to roof, canopies to wall, window to wall, steel beams penetrating walls, etc.

View the High Performance Building Workshop flyer for more details.

Register for Workshop 3

WORKSHOP 4: Building Envelope Considerations Associated with the Window Replacement in Existing/Aged Buildings

Window replacement demands a holistic and systematic approach in which replacing the windows is only part of the equation; equally important is how the windows are integrated inside the existing walls. Unfortunately, the latter is often not properly considered, leading to compromised long-term performance of the building envelope. This presentation covers the holistic solutions for the building envelope detailing of new windows inside existing walls, as well as the window selection considerations.

View the High Performance Building Workshop flyer for more details.

Register for Workshop 4

A 5-part webinar series was held from April - August 2021 which gave participants an overview of how the Step Code will shape the buildings of tomorrow through the insights of BCIT professionals and industry experts.

View Webinar Series Flyer

The City of Abbotsford and the Canadian Homebuilders' Association hosted a Step Code webinar on February 23, 2021. View the Step Code Webinar presentation slides or view the presentation video below.